Weekly Homebrew: Axe of Thraxxor

I was inspired to create this axe from a couple of different sources. For my vision of how the axe looks I used the Felguard's axe from World of Warcraft.

And a righteous axe at that!

For the origin of the axe I was inspired by Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, specifically this video which is not safe for work. Look for the Demon Thraxxor in an upcoming Weekly Homebrew. Once again I am not sure the power of the axe lies within aceptable parameters, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I would love to hear some feedback on it, whether general comments or how you end up using it in your game. I am finally starting to get the hang of using Power2ool to make magic items. I hope you enjoy using it as much as I enjoyed creating it. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Created on Power2ool

Many Many Apologies

I am sure some of my hardcore followers have noticed a fall off of content and posts lately. It's been very busy and work and I am also trying to get some real life priorities straight. I am going to continue updating the blog, but it will likely be spotty for the foreseeable future. I appreciate those of you who have participated in my polls. I do plan on having a weekly homebrew this week.

Since it was a tie the last time I checked I am going to try to post both. If I get the chance you should see something tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning at the latest. If nothing else I will do one this week and the other next. I still have some ideas for D and D related fiction and articles I just haven't had the time I needed to devote to them. Hopefully once things settle down I'll be able to jump back in with both feet. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Weekend Chainmail

I've got a long busy weekend coming up so I will be posting these without comment. Enjoy!

Hula Hoop

Nice day outside

Set against a charge

Weekly Homebrew: Copper Elephant

Continuing my love affair with steampunk I present this creature inspired by Steam Powered Giraffe. For those unfamiliar they are an excellent steampunk flavored band. Their personas are automatons created to battle copper African elephants. I really like the image.

  I am working on a poll for next weeks venture. For now would you prefer a Steam Powered Giraffe familiar or the Axe of Thraxxor a magic item inspired by Metal? If you have a preference or want to recommend something else entirely feel free to leave a comment or find me on twitter or facebook. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"

Chainmail Motivation: Metal!!!11one11

Happy Hump Day Followers. I have been toying with the idea of a metal inspired D and D game. I have had a few thoughts on it, mostly about how awesome it would be. Unfortunately I am a bit at a loss as to how to make it happen. On a side note I really do like Symphonic Metal. If you haven't heard Rhapsody of Fire (they were called just Rhapsody once) then you really need to. In any case please enjoy this visual representation of one of my favorite genres of music.

Let's turn this to 11!

Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"

Secret Warlock: Guest DM part 2

As promised I have a few thoughts on the guest DM from my Secret Warlock campaign. I'd like to start with some thoughts on the idea itself. I may be one of the luckiest people who play D and D because most of the players I know are also good DM's. I have heard that DM's are hard to find and a good DM is worth his or her weight in gold. I certainly agree witht the second part, but apart from some time on the virtual table, I haven't noticed a scarcity of DM's. Because most of the players I know also DM I have thought several times of having one or more of them run a game or two in my world.

Unless of course you run out. 

It can be fun to play in someone else's sandbox sometimes, but the idea can be a bit daunting. The key is to make sure you have your own stamp to put on things, but definitely don't kill any of the regular DM's sacred cows. It might be really hard to balance the needs of the DM's world with your story. Remember that it's not your world so you may need to let a few things flow differently than you normally would, but if you didn't have a story to tell there would be no point in you running the game.

One of my favorite things about playing D and D is the shared storytelling you get to do. I don't always run it that way. Sometimes it's easier just to kick down doors and chew bubblegum. When it works however it is awesome. Which is why I love the idea of switching DMs up sometimes. One of the best games I have been in was The Ebon Hand of Sharneth. It started as an all stealth Mercenary group and has evolved into a group where all of us take a turn at DMing. We have had some off moments of course, but on the whole it has been an enjoyable effort.

Sure it's big enough, but look at the location

I want to say a few words about the game the guest DM ran. Several people brought in new characters, but I chose to keep my Secret Warlock around for the adventure. It was actually kind of fun because I was able to let loose a little because I wasn't trying to hide who I was as much. You have no idea how much easier it is to be able to just say warlock's curse instead of trying to jump through hoops to get the idea across without saying it.

Other than being a slightly different dynamic with different characters, the main difference between this game and the normal game was the structure. Our normal DM tends to give us a lot of options. In fact sometimes it is a bit like Tolkien where we get lost looking for the forest because we are buried under a sea of Ents. It was sort of pleasant to have a more structured adventure. Though it did get a bit railroady in parts. I think the highlight of my evening was seeing our DM try to horse whisper a Nightmare.

On the whole I had a good time with our guest DM, but I am looking forward to getting back into the main story even if that means more twists, turns and blind alleys leading to dead ends. I know I'll enjoy the ride. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Weekend Chainmail: Chainmail Outside

I thought about saving this post for the first of may, but I decided a chainmail parade would be appropriate for St. Patrick's Day as well. It turns out Denver is famous for it's Green Beer Holiday Parade. I have to work so I would love some pictures or updates.

I hope it's like this only Greener

I have noticed a trend in many of the pictures I am finding. Many of them come from Ren Faires. If you have a moment you should really check out this. I love this podcast and pretty much everything else Marc Gunn does. I am actually still bummed about the Brobdingnagian Bards breaking up. Some of my best D and D moments have used their songs.

I digress. I have found a good number of pictures of people wearing chainmail outside and it was warm enough today for me to share them. I hope you enjoy.

I love these costumes. I like the blue dress and blue armor combo

Really? You want to take my picture in this?

Until Next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always"Yes, and...?"

Weekly Homebrew: Artificers Tool Belt

I am on a serious steampunk kick. In fact Steam Powered Giraffe has gotten me threw a few hard days. I am still thinking about making a steampunk game using Ebberon as the chassis. I posted goggles last week and this week I want to share this tool belt.

I love this belt

Midweek Chainmail: Motivation

Huh punk? Do ya?

In most of my wife's campaigns she got tired of the players wrecking all of her well thought out and mapped bars. So she turned Bartender into a multi-class that required at least 20 levels in another class. Suddenly the players were much more civil in her bars, and if one of us wasn't she always had Scorch the Great Wyrm Red Dragon who had polymorphed into a bartender. It is in this vein I post this picture. Happy Hump Day followers.

Secret Warlock: Guest DM

We have a guest DM this week. I am kind of excited to see what happens. If I have time I will update tonight with more info if not I'll post a breakdown next week. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Coming Attractions

The only new idea I have had for this week is a mod for Forbidden Island to make it Zombie Island. I'm not sure how I want it to work, but I'm going to work on it and may post it here if it looks good. Otherwise I have a lot of other projects in various states of completion and I may see something on DnD Next that will inspire me to post. I hope you enjoyed the weekend. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

King Arthur's World part 2

I am more than a little bummed about things today. I realized that although I am having a great time running my Arthurian Britain game I can't seem to keep any continuity through it at all. I even offered one of my players a boon because he was the only one who had showed up three sessions in a row. I think part of it is my fault. I know I get busy with life and forget to communicate about my game. I shouldn't expect people to just show up or read an email four hours before the game and be able to make it. Still I do wish I had heard from the couple of people I had emailed earlier in the week about the game. Pete and Robert I am talking to you.

"If I say it's a goat it's a goat it has horns
doesn't it?"--Squee the goblin king

The good news is that I am having a blast and I think the players who show up are having a good time as well. The turnover hasn't yet caused a breakdown in the story so hopefully we can get a core group going and then have a few guest stars if we need to. Some of my favorite moments in the game was roleplaying the goblins. At one point the goblin king told one of the players to get back on the table because he "had told you that you were a pig for dinner" I am not sure if you have heard of Squee the goblin king, but I was channeling him tonight.

I am really hopeful that I will be able to get some consistency in my game. I have enjoyed running it and I have some big plans for it in the future. Maybe I'll even remember to send an email out more than one day before the game next week. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Saturday Chainmail: Swimwear

So I just got back from working in the mountains and I found this wonderful picture.

Arrrgh!

I really love this swimsuit. I know she is a little skinny, but I think it's ok to show some... wait. I think there are pirates in this picture.

An Open Letter to the Hotel where I am staying

Please join us in the 21st century. I would like to be able to use the internet or at least my cell phone in the room. I know you are in the mountains and therefore slightly crazy but I am tired of sitting in the lobby. Also why do I have to stare at this Polar Bear's butt?

Polar Bear Butt

I am digging the fireplace so that can stay. That is all. I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

Weekly Homebrew: Goggles

I make these look good!

I made this on Power2ool which is an excellent website

This post inspired me to create this item. I realize they are probably not balanced, but Chris Perkins says that's ok. I'd love some feedback on this item and maybe some other ideas for steampunk inspired magic items. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Midweek Chainmail: Red Sonja

Happy Hump Day followers. I love this picture of Red Sonja. I think it's cool that at least the shield is the right size. I love the skull on the floor almost of sight. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

Fear my mighty Axe!

Secret Warlock: It's a Bugbear Party

Hey baby you want to see my multiclass ability?

Well I got to have an actual party tonight. We helped save a Bugbear village from an Evil Necromancer (TM). In return they threw us an epic party. It was fun because myself and the new Satyr in the group had a contest to see who could catch the most fleas. (I'll give you a moment to think about that). I also played have you met Ted with the bugbear in the group. Good news he ended up married. We are finally back on track to stop the disease. We just need one more component the Fury of a Fire Giant. I have a good idea how to get it, but we need to bring back the two fire giants that fell off our ship a couple of weeks ago. Now where did I put that Raise Dead ritual scroll. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"

Coming Attractions

It looks like it's going to be another busy week at my day job. I'm going up into the mountains again and I am not sure how available the internet is going to be. I'm going to try to get a couple of posts ready just in case, but if I go silent you'll know why. I did have an idea for a short story, but I'm not sure I'll get it finished so I don't want to share any more about it until it's a bit closer to done. As always if you have something you would like to see here leave a comment or find me on Facebook or Twitter. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"

Portal 2

I spent most of the day playing coop mode of Portal 2 with my son. I think it was an excellent way to spend my day off. We did take a break for a round of Forbidden Island which is an awesome game and pretty inexpensive. I'm hoping to have some time for more content next week but work is taking me into the mountains again, so I make no promises.

How are you holding up? Because I am a potato!

Saturday Chainmail: Sensible Armor

I posted a picture of a female character in more sensible armor a couple of days ago. I have since found several more beautiful pictures of women in sensible armor. I hope you enjoy the break from the chainmail bikini. 

Wonder Woman in Ancient Armor

This first picture is of Wonder Woman in ancient armor. I really like the Roman look and the best part is that you can still tell you are looking at a woman. 

Completely unlike this picture

I like this picture of Alice in armor from the new Alice in Wonderland movie. It's about the only thing I do like about the movie. 

Explain to me again why Hatters are mad?

As much as I enjoy the chainmail bikini it is more than possible to have beautiful pictures of women in sensible armor. 

Sometimes less isn't more. Sometimes more is more.

I am not going to go completely away from the normal weekend chainmail. I will be back to the cheesecake you know and love next week, or perhaps Wednesday. I do hope you have enjoyed the more sensible armor I have found for this post, however. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always, "Yes, and...?"

Pathfinder

Once again I got to play some Pathfinder around an actual table this week. I very much enjoyed getting together with some people and having some face to face gaming. I can still see why I chose 4e for most of my gaming needs however. I am playing a Death Priest of Wee Jas working towards the True Necromancer prestige path and there are no other healers because the person who was playing a cleric died and rolled a 1st level paladin.

Ok which end am I supposed to hit with now?

I did get to have one shining moment of awesome when a zombie crit failed to hit my summoned skeleton and killed his buddy instead. For most of the rest of the game I was trying to roll an 18 on my dice so I could hit with my scythe. I think the saddest part is that I am the expert on the system other than the dm so I think we may be in some trouble as we go on. I mean this was the second week in a row where we had to pick up half the party from the floor.

 I really enjoy the group dynamic so I'll probably keep going back, but if anyone remembers how to break a death priest I would love for you to tell me. Until next time remember don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"

Weekly Hombrew: Dominated Cultist

This weeks Weekly Homebrew is a cultist minion that is a much larger threat than it first might appear. The dominated cultist was made on the Wizards of the Coast Monster Builder using the Human Lackey as a base. The dominated cultist works great as a generic minion of a cult. Having a Mind Flayer at the center of the cult would work great. One thing that could work really well is having a familiar npc, preferably one the players like, be one of the cultists.

The dominated cultist works like any other minion while alive, doing a small amount of damage on a hit and generally being a nuisance. It is not until it dies that it really comes into its own. Any time a Dominated Cultist dies anyone in a cultist's Mental Feedback aura takes a small amount of psychic damage. If someone is standing in multiple auras the damage can really start to ramp up. If you can make the party vulnerable to psychic damage either through a terrain effect or another monster such as Zindriel, Sand Bride that's even better. The best is that the domination is insidious, attempting to dominate whoever kills the Dominated Cultist. Note this ability only works when the cultist is killed so a smart party would be encouraged to knock the cultists unconscious and look for another way to end the domination. This is all to the good since the players likely know the cultists and would probably feel bad about killing them outright. 

When using these you will want to be careful, because it would be easy to overwhelm the party especially if they kill a lot of cultists with close burst effects. You should definitely give the party some clues as to the nature of the cultists so that the first Mental Feedback isn't a total gotcha. I hope you enjoy using these cultists as much as I did. Until next time remember, don't let your DM tell you no. It's always "Yes, and...?"